Hot Putters: Tiger’s Nike Method, Levin’s Ghost Spider

Tiger Woods confidently dropped his final birdie putt in the center of the 18th hole to finish his dramatic victory at the Memorial Tournament. Of course, the hole that will be remembered most is the 16th, where he didn’t need his putter at all after sinking an impossible flop shot to take the lead.

Tiger Woods’ putter is a Nike Method 001 blade, which is similar in shape and style to the old Cameron putter he used for most of his career. After his troubles began a few years ago, Woods played musical putters, first switching to the Method 001, then back to the Cameron, then back and forth between the 001 and another Method mallet, before finally getting back into the groove with the Method 001. He has won twice with the Method 001 this year, and it seems as though his putter puzzle has been solved.

While Woods’ Method 001 is similar in shape, weight and balance to his old Cameron, it features Nike’s polymetal groove technology, which is designed to impart quick overspin for a more consistent and accurate roll. The Nike Method 001 putter belongs to Nike’s original line of milled Method putters that was released in early 2010. They company recently announced its first extension to the original line: the Nike Method Midnight putters.

Meanwhile, TaylorMade enjoyed its own highlight reel at the Memorial Tournament as well. Spencer Levin’s putter is a TaylorMade Ghost Spider belly putter. Rory Sabbatini’s putter is also a TaylorMade Ghost Spider. Needless to say, this distinctive white mallet putter got a ton of airtime on CBS yesterday. The Ghost Spider putter’s white finish is designed to offer enhanced alignment aid, while it’s winged shape creates high MOI for added stability and forgiveness.

Levin may have faltered at the end, but he put on a putting clinic throughout the tournament, averaging just 25 putts per round to lead the field in that statistic. He also continued the trend of young guns who are enjoying growing success with the belly putter. Once mocked as an “old man’s putter,” the belly putter is now one of the hottest things on tour. Perhaps hell will freeze over next.

P.S. You may have noticed that Woods and Sabbatini have custom grips on their putters, which is just another example of the pros making sure that their putters fit their physique and stroke. To learn how you can achieve a better fit for better results, check out our putter fitting guide, Putter Perfection.